Images of Asteroid 21 Lutetia: A Remnant Planetesimal from the Early Solar System

Sierks, H. and Lamy, P. and Barbieri, C. and Koschny, D. and Rickman, H. and Rodrigo, R. and A'Hearn, M. and Angrilli, F. and Barucci, Antonella and Bertaux, J.-L. and Bertini, I. and Besse, S. and Carry, B and Cremonese, Gabriele and da Deppo, V. and Davidsson, B. and Debei, S. and De Cecco, M. and De Leon, J. and Ferri, F. and Fornasier, Sonia and Fulle, M. and Hviid, S. and Gaskell, Robert W. and Groussin, Olivier and Gutierrez, P.J. and Ip, W.-H. and Jorda, L and Kaasalainen, M. and Keller, H. U. and Knollenberg, J. and Kramm, R. and Kührt, Ekkehard and Küppers, Michael and Lara, Luisa M. and Lazzarin, M. and Leyrat, C. and Moreno, J.J. and Magrin, S. and Marchi, S. and Marzari, F. and Massironi, Matteo and Michalik, H. and Moissl, R. and Naletto, G. and Preusker, Frank and Sabau, L. and Sabolo, W. and Scholten, Frank and Snodgrass, C. and Thomas, N. and Tubiana, C. and Vernazza, P and Vincent, J.B. and Wenzel, K.-P. and Andert, T. and Pätzold, M and Weiss, B.P.
(2011)
Images of Asteroid 21 Lutetia: A Remnant Planetesimal from the Early Solar System.
Science, 334 (6055), pp. 487-490.
DOI: 10.1126/science.1207325.

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Abstract

Images obtained by the Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS) cameras onboard the Rosetta spacecraft reveal that asteroid 21 Lutetia has a complex geology and one of the highest asteroid densities measured so far, 3.4 ± 0.3 grams per cubic centimeter. The north pole region is covered by a thick layer of regolith, which is seen to flow in major landslides associated with albedo variation. Its geologically complex surface, ancient surface age, and high density suggest that Lutetia is most likely a primordial planetesimal. This contrasts with smaller asteroids visited by previous spacecraft, which are probably shattered bodies, fragments of larger parents, or reaccumulated rubble piles.

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Article

Title:

Images of Asteroid 21 Lutetia: A Remnant Planetesimal from the Early Solar System